Shelly Beach Snippets 2. 13th January 2014.

Greetings and salutations from down under Oz, I trust all is well with you and yours and that the New Year is being kind. It’s much laid back presently with summer school holidays still in progress, surf boards, bikinis, and ice cream are the order of the day here at Shelly Beach. A few dolphins have been seen cruising the waters, and the whale spotters are out in force at Crackneck Lookout as these beautiful mammals travel north to Queensland. Spotting the whales is a favourite pursuit as holidaymakers travel around the coast.

Talking of Queensland, on the Gold Coast thoroughbred horses are galloping on the beach, strutting their stuff in the hope of becoming another winner. Prospective buyers are watching closely for that star quality, as big bickies change hands and rubbed with glee at the prospect of another Black Caviar. Magic Millions the richest race is now being run, all the horses need to have been bought at the sales at some time. The ladies are out in their finest apparel, and hats are in contest with fascinators. It’s not called the Gold Coast for no reason; winners all round as the dollars flow.

On the 4th of January $40 million was up for grabs in Lotto, and happily there were quite a few sharing the spoils. Oh to win Lotto and move into a posh hotel overlooking the beach, what joy to have breakfast in bed whenever you like.

Sydney Harbour Bridge by Reginald J. Dunkley

Meanwhile Hollywood Royalty Angelina Jolie is in Sydney, tripping around with her brood taking in the sights. Luna Park was a favourite venue as they twirled around in the sky admiring the view of the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge. Here making a movie which is very nearly completed, who will be the next star visitor is the burning question.

Yes, there is still talk about the cricket and the Ashes clean sweep. How did the Aussies manage it? Was it the bats – are they extra thick – made with special wood? There must be a secret. Fret not all you cricket lovers as the one day series is about to start, then of course South Africa is on the list. Not forgetting the tennis with the Australian Open in progress in Melbourne at The Rod Laver Stadium tickets selling for fifty thousand dollars. No wonder there is much grunting and short skirts dashing around on the courts. Sport prevails in this sunny land.

The other news is that we are all too rounded and overflowing, I’m not surprised when you see the loads of food wheeled out of the supermarkets. Never mind there is a new way to lose belly fat, just keep moving your legs up and down fast in one spot for as long as possible. This we are told really works but don’t blame me if it doesn’t.

The lorikeets are still flying in every morning and today we had a gorgeous talented kookaburra singing away for his breakfast. He got star treatment for his special melodic charms.
Husband Reg took lovely photographs just for you. Enjoy!
Cheers.
Patricia.

About Patricia Newell-Dunkley

I am an artist writer, born in Sussex, Shoreham-on-Sea and educated at Ealing Modern School in London. I studied amongst other subjects English Literature and Art which sowed the seeds for what would become a lifelong passion. It was not until 1970, after moving to Australia, that I began to satisfy my artistic desire when I first started Porcelain on-glaze painting using mineral oxides paint, a style which would become my forte. Within six months I had bought a kiln, and I embarked on an extensive series of courses over the following years in Grounding, Gold and Silver Gilding, Lustres, Raised Paste and Pen work. In 1980 I began to offer my art through a number of major Sydney outlets. Initially the Fine Art Department of the Myers City Store, followed by David Jones, Grace Brothers, The International Airport, Micawbers Antiques, Bourke’s Hilton Hotel, Roseville Gallery and Toowoon Bay Gallery. Over the years my painting styles have expanded to include Oil, Pastel, and Watercolours. I am a member of the Society of Authors and also a member of the Society of Women Writers and Journalists UK. My writing includes articles and poems published in This England, Evergreen, and The Radio ABC Pot Pourri of Poems, as well as short stories. “The Complete Guide to Painting and Decorating Porcelain,” “Wallis the Woman I Love,” a narrative poem, “Letters of a Travelling Lady,” and six romantic novels.

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